(19)
(11) EP 0 795 421 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
18.03.1998 Bulletin 1998/12

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.09.1997 Bulletin 1997/38

(21) Application number: 97103838.5

(22) Date of filing: 07.03.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6B41M 5/40, B41M 7/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 14.03.1996 US 615932

(71) Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY
St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Chang, Jeffrey C., c/o Minnesota Mining and
    Saint Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)

(74) Representative: Allaix, Roberto, Dr. 
Imation S.p.A., Intellectual Property Department, Viale Martiri della Libertà, 57
17016 Ferrania (Savona)
17016 Ferrania (Savona) (IT)

   


(54) Laser addressable thermal transfer imaging element and method of forming an image


(57) The invention provides a thermal transfer element having an infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat and process for using the transfer element to generate a colored image on a receptor. The infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat allows for a more efficient transfer of the image to a receptor. The color transfer layer and/or infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat may optionally contain crosslinkable or polymerizable materials that allows one to crosslink the image after transfer to the receptor to produce a more durable image.





Search report